Method and system for providing communication services

ABSTRACT

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a device including a base station communicatively coupled to a communication system, and a communicative device communicatively coupled to the base station for providing voice communication services to a user, wherein the communicative device serves as a proxy to make telephone calls on behalf of a set-top box presenting media services to a presentation device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/949,400, now U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2016/0088356,which is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/501,229, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,225,750. Thecontents of each of the foregoing is/are hereby incorporated byreference into this application as if set forth herein in full.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to communication techniques andmore specifically to a method and system for providing communicationservices.

BACKGROUND

Telephony today is supplied by landline or mobile communication systems.Landline communication services generally means that a communicationdevice is tethered to the communication system, while with mobilecommunication services the communication device is untethered orwireless. Mobility in this context can be short range or long range.Short range mobile communications can be supported by for examplecordless phone technology such as Digital Enhanced CordlessTelecommunications, Wireless Fidelity often referred to as WiFi, orBluetooth. Long range wireless mobile technology is generally supportedby cellular communication systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-2 depict illustrative embodiments of communication systems thatprovide media services;

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portal interacting withthe communication systems of FIGS. 1-2;

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication deviceutilized in the communication systems of FIGS. 1-2;

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system for integrating anentertainment and communication system;

FIG. 6 depicts an alternative embodiment of the system for integratingan entertainment and communication system;

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method operating inportions of the communication systems of FIGS. 1-2; and

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a device including abase station communicatively coupled to a communication system, and acommunicative device communicatively coupled to the base station forproviding voice communication services to a user, wherein thecommunicative device serves as a proxy to make telephone calls on behalfof a set-top box (STB), the STB being operative to present mediaservices to a presentation device.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a set-top boxincluding a controller to receive a request for voice communicationservices from an accessory communicatively coupled to the STB, submit arequest to a communication device communicatively coupled to a basestation that provides voice services to the communication device,receive the voice communication services from the communication deviceresponsive to said request, and present a user of the STB the requestedvoice communication service.

Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail acomputer-readable storage medium operating in a first communicationdevice including computer instructions to receive a voice communicationrequest from an STB on a first wireless interface, submit an addressbook to the STB over the first wireless interface, receive from the STBover the first wireless interface a selection from the address book,initiate a voice communication session with a second communicationdevice over a second wireless interface according to the selectionreceived by the STB, and link the voice communication session with theSTB over the first wireless interface.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail receiving arequest for voice communication service from a remote control devicecommunicatively coupled to a set-top box, submitting a request to acommunication device communicatively coupled to a base station thatprovides voice services to the communication device, receiving voicecommunication services from the communication device responsive to saidrequest, and presenting a user of the STB the requested voicecommunication service.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first communicationsystem 100 for delivering media content. The communication system 100can represent an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) broadcast mediasystem. The IPTV media system can include a super head-end office (SHO)110 with at least one super headend office server (SHS) 111 whichreceives media content from satellite and/or terrestrial communicationsystems. In the present context, media content can represent audiocontent, moving image content such as videos, still image content, orcombinations thereof. The SHS server 111 can forward packets associatedwith the media content to video head-end servers (VHS) 114 via a networkof video head-end offices (VHO) 112 according to a common multicastcommunication protocol.

The VHS 114 can distribute multimedia broadcast programs via an accessnetwork 118 to commercial and/or residential buildings 102 housing agateway 104 (such as a common residential or commercial gateway). Theaccess network 118 can represent a group of digital subscriber lineaccess multiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a servicearea interface that provide broadband services over optical links orcopper twisted pairs 119 to buildings 102. The gateway 104 can usecommon communication technology to distribute broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 106 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast channels to media devices 108 such as computers or televisionsets managed in some instances by a media controller 107 (such as aninfrared or RF remote control).

The gateway 104, the media processors 106, and media devices 108 canutilize tethered interface technologies (such as coaxial or phone linewiring) or can operate over a common wireless access protocol. Withthese interfaces, unicast communications can be invoked between themedia processors 106 and subsystems of the IPTV media system forservices such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronicprogramming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.

Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled toone or more computing devices 130 a portion of which can operate as aweb server for providing portal services over an Internet ServiceProvider (ISP) network 132 to wireline media devices 108 or wirelesscommunication devices 116 by way of a wireless access base station 117operating according to common wireless access protocols such as WirelessFidelity (WiFi), or cellular communication technologies (such as GSM,CDMA, UMTS, WiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, and so on).

It will be appreciated by an artisan of ordinary skill in the art that asatellite broadcast television system can be used in place of the IPTVmedia system. In this embodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 115supplying media content can be intercepted by a common satellite dishreceiver 131 coupled to the building 102. Modulated signals interceptedby the satellite dish receiver 131 can be submitted to the mediaprocessors 106 for generating broadcast channels which can be presentedat the media devices 108. The media processors 106 can be equipped witha broadband port to the ISP network 132 to enable infrastructureservices such as VoD and EPG described above.

In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital broadcast distributionsystem such as cable TV system 133 can be used in place of the IPTVmedia system described above. In this embodiment the cable TV system 133can provide Internet, telephony, and interactive media services.

It follows from the above illustrations that the present disclosure canapply to any present or future interactive over-the-air or landlinemedia content services.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 200.employing an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture tofacilitate the combined services of circuit-switched and packet-switchedsystems. Communication system 200 can be overlaid or operably coupledwith communication system 100 as another representative embodiment ofcommunication system 100.

Communication system 200 can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)240, a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 230, and other commonnetwork elements of an IMS network 250. The IMS network 250 canestablish communications between IMS compliant communication devices(CD) 201, 202, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) CDs 203, 205,and combinations thereof by way of a Media Gateway Control Function(MGCF) 220 coupled to a PSTN network 260.

IMS CDs 201, 202 can register with the IMS network 250 by contacting aProxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with acorresponding Serving CSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with at the HSS240. To initiate a communication session between CDs, an originating IMSCD 201 can submit a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP INVITE) message toan originating P-CSCF 204 which communicates with a correspondingoriginating S-CSCF 206. The originating S-CSCF 206 can submit queries tothe ENUM system 230 to translate an E.164 telephone number in the SIPINVITE to a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) if the terminatingcommunication device is IMS compliant.

The SIP URI can be used by an Interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 207 to submita query to the HSS 240 to identify a terminating S-CSCF 214 associatedwith a terminating IMS CD such as reference 202. Once identified, theI-CSCF 207 can submit the SIP INVITE to the terminating S-CSCF 214. Theterminating S-CSCF 214 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 216associated with the terminating CD 202. The P-CSCF 216 then signals theCD 202 to establish communications.

If the terminating communication device is instead a PSTN CD such asreferences 203 or 205, the ENUM system 230 can respond with anunsuccessful address resolution which can cause the originating S-CSCF206 to forward the call to the MGCF 220 via a Breakout Gateway ControlFunction (BGCF) 219. The MGCF 220 can then initiate the call to theterminating PSTN CD by common means over the PSTN network 260.

The aforementioned communication process is symmetrical. Accordingly,the terms “originating” and “terminating” in FIG. 2 are interchangeable.It is further noted that communication system 200 can be adapted tosupport video conferencing by way of common protocols such as H.323. Inaddition, communication system 200 can be adapted to provide the IMS CDs201, 203 the multimedia and Internet services of communication system100.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portal 302 which canoperate from the computing devices 130 described earlier ofcommunication 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. The portal 302 can be used formanaging services of communication systems 100-200. The portal 302 canbe accessed by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) with a common Internetbrowser such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer™ using an Internet-capablecommunication device such as those described for FIGS. 1-2. The portal302 can be configured, for example, to access a media processor 106 andservices managed thereby such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), a VoDcatalog, an EPG, a personal catalog (such as personal videos, pictures,audio recordings, etc.) stored in the media processor, provisioning IMSservices described earlier, provisioning Internet services, provisioningcellular phone services, and so on.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication device 400.Communication device 400 can serve in whole or in part as anillustrative embodiment of the communication devices of FIGS. 1-2. Thecommunication device 400 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 402 (herein transceiver 402), a user interface (UI) 404, apower supply 414, a location receiver 416, and a controller 406 formanaging operations thereof. The transceiver 402 can support short-rangeor long-range wireless access technologies such as Bluetooth, WiFi,Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), or cellularcommunication technologies, just to mention a few. Cellular technologiescan include, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE,EV/DO, WiMAX, SDR, and next generation cellular wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 402 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCPIP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 404 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 408 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, joystick, mouse, ornavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device400. The keypad 408 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 400 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth. The keypad 408 canrepresent a numeric dialing keypad commonly used by phones, and/or aQwerty keypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 404 can further include adisplay 410 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display),OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technologyfor conveying images to an end user of the communication device 400. Inan embodiment where the display 410 is touch-sensitive, a portion or allof the keypad 408 can be presented by way of the display.

The UI 404 can also include an audio system 412 that utilizes commonaudio technology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heardonly in the proximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such asspeakerphone for hands free operation). The audio system 412 can furtherinclude a microphone for receiving audible signals of an end user. Theaudio system 412 can also be used for voice recognition applications.The UI 404 can further include an image sensor 413 such as a chargedcoupled device (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 414 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and charging system technologies for supplying energy tothe components of the communication device 400 to facilitate long-rangeor short-range portable applications. The location receiver 416 canutilize common location technology such as a global positioning system(GPS) receiver for identifying a location of the communication device400 based on signals generated by a constellation of GPS satellites,thereby facilitating common location services such as navigation.

The communication device 400 can use the transceiver 402 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi or Bluetooth access point bycommon power sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or a signal time of arrival (TOA) or timeof flight (TOF). The controller 406 can utilize computing technologiessuch as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and/or avideo processor with associated storage memory such a Flash, ROM, RAM,SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies.

The communication device 400 can be adapted to perform the functions ofthe media processor 106, the media devices 108, or the portablecommunication devices 116 of FIG. 1, as well as the IMS CDs 201-202 andPSTN CDs 203-205 of FIG. 2. It will be appreciated that thecommunication device 400 can also represent other common devices thatcan operate in communication systems 100-200 of FIGS. 1-2 such as agaming console and a media player.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system 500 forintegrating an entertainment and communication system, the system 500being operable in portions of the communication systems of FIGS. 1 and2. The system 500 can include a communication device 502 comprising acellular phone or a landline phone. The communication device 502 maycomprise, for example, a frame or a tablet with a touch-sensitivedisplay, although not limited to such a configuration. The communicationdevice 502 can include communication technology to support both DECT andWiFi protocols. The communication device 502 can be communicativelycoupled to a base unit or base station 506 by way of DECT and WiFi airinterfaces. A plurality of cordless handsets 504 can also becommunicatively coupled to the base unit 506 using the DECT protocol.

The base unit 506 can include communication technology forcommunicatively interfacing to a PSTN, VoIP, or IMS network such asthose described earlier. The base unit 506 can be coupled to a datamodem such as an Internet/router modem 508 for communicativelyinterfacing to the ISP network 132 of FIG. 1. The base unit 506 canprovide the cordless handsets 504 voice communications services, and thetablet 502 a combination of voice and data communication services. Thetablet 502 and cordless handsets 504 can be equipped with common camerasensors 510 (such as CCD sensors) which can enable these devices tosupport video communication services and capture still images orpictures.

The base unit 506 can also be communicatively coupled in a wirelessfashion to one or more of the STBs 106 which in turn present broadcastsignals to media or presentation devices 108 such as computers ortelevision sets managed by the media controller 107 which can be ahandheld remote control device and/or infrared keyboard (see also FIG.1). The STBs 106, presentation devices 108 and the media controller 107together comprise an entertainment system 512. As will be discussed inmore detail below, the communication device 502 (such as the frame ortablet) can serve as a proxy to make telephone calls on behalf of theSTB 106.

FIG. 6 discloses a system 600 similar to the system 500 but where thetablet 502 is eliminated and the base unit 606 is used as the proxy tomake telephone calls on behalf of the STB 106. In the system 600, likereference numerals are used to denote like structure as in the system500 except that the prefix “6” is used instead of “5” whereverappropriate.

The method 700 of operation shown in FIG. 7 will now be described inconnection with the system of FIG. 5. First, at step 702 a request isreceived for voice communication by a user using, for example, theremote control device 107 which is communicatively coupled to the STB106. In this case, the user may be enjoying a television program onpresentation device 108, for example, a flat screen TV. The user thendecides to make a telephone call using the remote control device 107.The remote control may comprise a low-volume speaker 514 and amicrophone 516 for holding the remote control device to the user's earand mouth, respectively, and serve as a cordless handset. As an example,the voice communication request from the user through the STB 106 maycomprise a phone number selection.

In step 704, the request from the STB 106 is submitted to thecommunication device 502 which is communicatively couple to the basestation 506 by way of DECT and WiFi. The base station 506 provides voiceservices to the communication device 502.

In step 706, the STB 106 receives voice communication services from thecommunication device 502 via the base station 506 in response to therequest. In this regard, the communication device 502 can provide suchservices as, but not limited to, a contact/address book for presentationand selection of an item, caller identification, news, weather, sports,the Yellow Pages, etc.

In step 708, the user of the STB 106 is presented the requested voicecommunication service for presentation on, for example, his TV. Thus,for example, if the user has requested a contact book, he can thenchoose a particular phone number appearing on his TV screen, highlightthe same using the remote control device 107, and then initiate atelephone call by, for example, pressing a designated button or key onthe remote control device 107. With such a configuration, thecommunication device 502 serves as a proxy to make telephone calls onbehalf of the STB 106. As noted above, information that is normallypresented, for example, on the touch-sensitive display of thecommunication device 502, can also be presented to the user of the STB106 on the presentation device 108 such as a television set.

The method of operation would be basically the same for the system 600shown in FIG. 6 except that communication device in the form of thetablet or frame 502 used in the system 500 of FIG. 5 is eliminated suchthat the base station 606 also performs the functions of thecommunication device including providing such services as, but notlimited to, a contact/address book for presentation and selection of anitem, caller identification, news, weather, sports, the Yellow Pages,etc.

The present invention further contemplates a user interface, eitherdisposed directly on the STB 106 or using the presentation device 108such as the TV screen, in order to indicate to the user when thecommunicative device is currently in use by another user, and notifiesthe user when the communicative device is available for use by the user.For example, a message may be displayed on, for example, the TV screenand/or the STB user interface that indicates that the phone is currentlyin use by another user and that the user will be notified when the phoneis available for use by the user. In this way, the STB 106 can be usedto queue outgoing calls from, for example, different family members.Moreover, if the communicative device comprises a landline phone, andwherein when a phone line of the landline phone is not being used by theother user, the STB 106 may transmit call information to the landlinephone such that the landline phone or the presentation device rings witha distinctive ring reserved for outgoing calls initiated by the userusing the remote control device 107.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope andspirit of the claims described below. For example, while the remotecontrol device 107 is described above as including a speaker and amicrophone, the STB 106 itself can include the speaker and microphone toallow the user to make a phone call directly from the STB.

Other suitable modifications can be applied to the present disclosurewithout departing from the scope of the claims below. Accordingly, thereader is directed to the claims section for a fuller understanding ofthe breadth and scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 800 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed above. In some embodiments, the machine operatesas a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may beconnected (e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient user machine in server-client user network environment, or as apeer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or anymachine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a device of the present disclosure includes broadly anyelectronic device that provides voice, video or data communication.Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shallalso be taken to include any collection of machines that individually orjointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform anyone or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The computer system 800 may include a processor 802 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a mainmemory 804 and a static memory 806, which communicate with each othervia a bus 808. The computer system 800 may further include a videodisplay unit 810 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, asolid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system800 may include an input device 812 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 814 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 816, a signal generationdevice 818 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interfacedevice 820.

The disk drive unit 816 may include a machine-readable medium 822 onwhich is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 824)embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions describedherein, including those methods illustrated above. The instructions 824may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the mainmemory 804, the static memory 806, and/or within the processor 802during execution thereof by the computer system 800. The main memory 804and the processor 802 also may constitute machine-readable media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions intwo or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices withrelated control and data signals communicated between and through themodules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, andhardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containinginstructions 824, or that which receives and executes instructions 824from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a networkenvironment 826 can send or receive voice, video or data, and tocommunicate over the network 826 using the instructions 824. Theinstructions 824 may further be transmitted or received over a network826 via the network interface device 820.

While the machine-readable medium 822 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should betaken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralizedor distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) thatstore the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by themachine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies of the present disclosure.

The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken toinclude, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memorycard or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile)memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile)memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape;and/or a digital file attachment to e-mail or other self-containedinformation archive or set of archives is considered a distributionmedium equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, thedisclosure is considered to include any one or more of amachine-readable medium or a distribution medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodicallysuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit thescope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separately claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: a processing systemincluding a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructionsthat, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance ofoperations, comprising: submitting a request for voice communicationservices through a first communication device of a plurality ofcommunication devices responsive to receiving an input from a requestingcommunication device requesting use of the voice communication servicesfrom the first communication device, wherein the plurality ofcommunication devices are wirelessly coupled to a base station thatprovides the voice communication services to the plurality ofcommunication devices, and wherein the first communication device servesas a proxy to provide the voice communication services to the requestingcommunication device via the base station; receiving a response from thefirst communication device, wherein the response comprises an indicationthat the first communication device is currently being used or isavailable to provide the voice communication services; and responsive tothe receiving the response indicating that the first communicationdevice is available to provide the voice communication services:submitting a start communication instruction to the first communicationdevice to obtain access to the voice communication services through thefirst communication device; and providing the access to the voicecommunication services to the requesting communication device.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein responsive to the receiving the responseindicating that the first communication device is currently being used,presenting an indication that the first communication device isunavailable at a display device.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein thedisplay device comprises one of a computer, a mobile phone, and atelevision set.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the base station iscommunicatively coupled to a modem that is communicatively coupled to acommunication system.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the modemenables the base station to provide voice communication services to theplurality of communication devices.
 6. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising a data modem coupled to the base station to provide the voicecommunication services by way of the plurality of communication devicesand the base station.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the firstcommunication device initiates a voice communication request responsiveto a phone number entry.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the firstcommunication device provides a caller identification for presentationat a presentation device.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the firstcommunication device provides a contact book with selectable items forpresentation at a presentation device.
 10. The device of claim 1,wherein the first communication device comprises a tablet with atouch-sensitive display.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein therequesting communication device comprises a remote control device thatprovides instructions to the device.
 12. A method, comprising:receiving, by a processing system comprising a processor, a request forvoice communication services from a requesting communication devicethrough a first communication device of a plurality of communicationdevices, wherein the plurality of communication devices are wirelesslycoupled to a base station that provides the voice communication servicesto the plurality of communication devices, and wherein the firstcommunication device serves as a proxy to provide the voicecommunication services to the requesting communication device via thebase station; providing, by the processing system, a response from thefirst communication device indicating that the first communicationdevice is unavailable or is available to provide the voice communicationservices; and responsive to the providing the response indicating thatthe first communication device is available to provide the voicecommunication services: submitting, by the processing system, a startcommunication instruction to the first communication device to obtainaccess to the voice communication services through the firstcommunication device; and providing, by the processing system, theaccess to the voice communication services to the requestingcommunication device.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein responsive tothe providing the response indicating that the first communicationdevice is unavailable, obtaining an indication that the firstcommunication device is unavailable for display at a display device. 14.The method of claim 12, wherein the first communication device comprisesa remote control for a media processor.
 15. The method of claim 12,wherein the requesting communication device comprises a remote controldevice that provides instructions to the device.
 16. The method of claim12, wherein the first communication device provides a contact book withselectable items for presentation at a presentation device.
 17. Amachine-readable storage device, comprising executable instructionsthat, when executed by a processing system including a processor,facilitate performance of operations, comprising: routing a request forvoice communication services from a requesting communication devicethrough a first communication device of a plurality of communicationdevices, wherein the plurality of communication devices are wirelesslycoupled to a base station that provides the voice communication servicesto the plurality of communication devices; responsive to receiving aresponse indicating that the first communication device is available toprovide the voice communication services: submitting a startcommunication instruction to the first communication device to obtainaccess to the voice communication services through the firstcommunication device; and providing the access to the voicecommunication services to the requesting communication device; andresponsive to receiving a response indicating that the firstcommunication device is unavailable to provide the voice communicationservices, presenting an indication that the first communication deviceis unavailable at a display device.
 18. The machine-readable storagedevice of claim 17, wherein the first communication device comprises aremote control device for a media processor.
 19. The machine-readablestorage device of claim 18, wherein the media processor provides thevoice communication services from the base station to the remote controldevice, and wherein the first communication device serves as a proxy toprovide the voice communication services to the requesting communicationdevice via the base station.
 20. The machine-readable storage device ofclaim 17, wherein the base station is communicatively coupled to a modemthat is communicatively coupled to a communication system.